The first developer preview build of Android 15 is expected to drop soon, but the next major version of Android isn’t expected to hit stable channels until this fall. Meanwhile, device makers are just starting to ship phones with Android 14, which was released a few months ago. And the independent developers behind LineageOS have […]
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Lilbits: Framework Laptop 16, Chromecast exploit, AYA Neo Slide review, and new Google Pixel features
This summer, modular, repairable, and upgradable laptop maker Framework introduced their biggest, most powerful… and most modular laptop yet. Not only does the Framework Laptop 16 have more user-selectable ports than its 13.5 inch sibling, but the input area is also customizable and there’s a new connector on the back of the computer for attaching […]
LineageOS 20 brings Android 13 to the Google Pixel 2
Google ended support for the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL in 2020. But independent developers are keeping the phones alive by providing unofficial firmware updates. The first Pixel 2 custom ROMs based on Android 12 hit the streets in 2021. And now you can install Android 13 on a Pixel 2 thanks to the […]
LineageOS 20 is an Android 13-based open source operating system with a new camera app (and much more)
LineageOS is one of the best known custom ROMs for Android phones (and other devices), allowing you to replace the software that came with your device with a customizable, open source alternative. Now the developers have released LineageOS 20 and the latest build brings a number of significant improvements. First up, it’s based on Android 13. […]
Lilbits: Handbrake adds AV1 support, Fairphone 4 can now run Android 13 (unofficially)
The Fairphone 4 is a smartphone with mid-range specs that began shipping in 2021, but which should be supported at least until the end of 2025 thanks to Fairphone’s commitment not only to continue releasing software updates, but also spare parts. And while Fairphone has a pretty good track record of providing its own software […]
LineageOS 19 now available for dozens of phones (Android 12-based custom ROM)
LineageOS is an Android-based operating system designed to be installed as a replacement for the software that ships on many supported smartphones, tablets, and other devices. It’s an open source operating system based on Android Open Source Project code that, among other things, can bring new features and the latest security updates to old devices. […]
Run Android 12L on the Google Nexus 7 (2013) tablet
When Google released Android 12L earlier this month, the company highlighted new features designed for tablets, foldables, and other large-screen devices. But the company also said you’ll have to wait until later this year for the operating system, to roll out for tablets and foldables. One reason for that? The first devices to get new […]
Turn Amazon’s First TV Stick into an unofficial Android TV device with LineageOS 18.1
Amazon’s Fire TV devices run a custom version of Google’s Android software called Fire OS that feature Amazon’s app store, Amazon Prime Video, and other Amazon apps and services instead of Google’s. But hackers have found a way to replace Fire OS on Amazon’s 2020 Fire TV Stick and Fire TV Stick Lite with an […]
Now you can run Android 12 on the decade-old Samsung Galaxy S III (but you probably shouldn’t)
The Samsung Galaxy S III is a smartphone that was released nearly 10 years ago, and while it initially shipped with Android 4.0 software, Samsung eventually offered Android 4.1 and then Android 4.3 updates. And that… was about it for official updates. But when it comes to unofficial updates, the Galaxy S III is a phone […]
Run Android 11 on Walmart’s cheap Android TV devices with LineageOS
Hackers recently figured out how to unlock the bootloader on Google’s $50 Chromecast with Google TV device, opening the door to replacing the default software with custom ROMs. But the Chromecast isn’t the only low-cost, 4K-ready media streamer around. Last year Dynalink launched an Android TV media streamer that sells for $50. And earlier this […]